Google.

Information is there at the press on a keypad.
Not my cup of tea Good thing or bad thing?
The reason I ask is that my daughter in laws son was with us earlier and he asked me about a certain film. I know nowt about films. He retorted " just google it" And you'll find the answer
In my opinion the internet can make anybody sound or look clever. Whats your opinion?

Cheers.

I personally like Google, but I understand what you mean...

The net is full of mystery...

In the last ten years I've been surrounded in my job as an engineer by "google experts", I advise people on how to go about a job and give them information on successfully completing the job. I am constantly asked " don't you think it should be done this way" usually from a person who does not know which end of a screwdriver to use but just came back to me after "googling" and probably on a mission to cut cost, sometimes at the cost of injury or dead to others regardless.
Also wikapedia is NOT the ultimate word in correct information, it's only as good as the person supplying the info!
Everyone is an expert, to hell with my 49 years of experience!

BTW there are some frightening pieces of leathal information both on google and wikapedia, a lot from handyman "experts"

Ok...rant over...nearly retired...let the google experts get on with it!

Then again... people can actually know about an issue simply because they have an interest in a certain subject or are actually employed in a certain field, and when they show that knowledge on the internet they can also be accused of 'googling' to look clever, usually by people who feel threated by clever people, or by someone who knows more about a subject than they do... it is a double edged sword.

An example... On a History Forum I once read a thread extolling the victory at Rorkes Drift, I however being a lover of history know that this victory was overhyped to cover up what had happened the day before at the Battle of Isandlhwana, where the British army and its allies suffered what is still the biggest defeat in British Military history due to inept leadership on the field. I knew that because I had read a few books, REAL books on the subject, books that covered it from different viewpoints. I did post a link to a Wiki article on the subject simply because it was the easiest source. I posted as such, only to be asked by those who thought I was being too much of a smart arse...

"Been Googling have we?"

... but the thing is.. I KNEW there was something to Google! I did not just accept the OPs original post as the final word. In this case Wiki was right, because it followed what I knew was the recognised fact.

I have no doubt that googling is abused, or as Britboy says... to try to save a bit of money by questioning experts.

Thing is.... Google is not the problem, Google is simply a search engine, all it does is give a list of links to other sites... the content of which can be totally wrong. Wiki is a site where other people submit articles... and if one subscriber has an axe to grind he will give his slanted view, someone with opposing views will give their take on the subject.

The only way to stop it is to police it, to have a overseeing body that checks the content of internet content... but that can also lead to abuse and back-door censorship. At the moment it is up to the user to sort the wheat from the chaff, not an easy job. I have fallen in to the trap a few times.

google can be an aid,just like a dictionary.

Hear hear, Elmos. nothing like a closed mind, eh.

Whatever happened to yahoo?



Think I'll google it.

Don't get me wrong. I use search engines as much as anyoneThe point I'm making is that if they had been available whilst I was in education then maybe I could have graduated as a Bachelor of arts ( with honours of course) which would be an improvement on my CSE!
Some good replies there

I see your point Ian, When i was at school there was no calculators, it was all worked out on paper with a nibbed pen or pencil, we were't allowed to use ballpoint pens, the theory being they made you a lazy writer ( or was it lousey) anyrode thats my excuse for being thick, I did't even get a cse, but later gained a spirit level rather than a O level,

Some interesting and valid comments

There's a statement people in the USA make on a regular basis "to much information", usually when they don't want to hear someone else's risqué or radical point of view.
I don't accept the premise "to much information".
I collect any information that comes my way and keep the relevant useful parts, if I hadn't done that during my working life I would have been dead long ago working in the electrical field.
I do the same with any information media including google and wiki, they are just a useable source.
Like a lot of older folk my education came out of books and hard work but I would be very foolish to ignore information from the cyberworld.

My formal education ended 45 yrs ago, but I,m still learning via the net. Grandad I should hope that anyone who has gained an honours degree didnt earn it by just googling the information otherwise we would have everyone qualifying as a brain surgeon,and that doesnt bear thinking about.

tomplum:

"When i was at school there was no calculators,"

And we had to use log tables and slide rules

It doesn't matter where the source of your information comes from , it's just like being taught by a teacher & maybe you would pay more attension to what you have been taught , A lot of kids come out of school without being able to read or write, so kids can learn a lot by computers & calculaters, it's the way of the modern world, just think what may come in the future,We dont use slates now as i did as an infant,

I love Google..I hated history at School,and now can't get enough of it,be it from the great wall of China to Cassanova. We watched a film the other night for example all about the 5th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire,and really enjoyed it,googled it and boy there was loads more info on them..I just like knowing,like Cadfael I love reading books..love even handling a book..love knowledge,don't care what anybody else says..if I want to know anything,be it baking recipes..wine making..paintings..breeds of dogs.. rose trees ...etc anything...I go to Google..I learn more off there than I ever learned at School,and yes I also have books on all sorts of subjects as well..as I say I just like knowing..P.S no wonder I can't sleep..only joking, I sleep like a baby.

Granada, you don't need Google, you've got Mr Green
He knows loads of stuff about stuff.

With Cadfael all the way.

Brilliant resource. But like a dictionary, you need to have an inkling of what you're looking for in the first place.

Tickles me when folk give googled info without mentioning they 'lifted it'.

All you need to do is copy and paste a section of their copied and pasted text, then google it. You'll see where they got it from.

Posted by: douglas (3272)

"Granada, you don't need Google, you've got Mr Green
He knows loads of stuff about stuff"

The mans a font of knowledge Douglas. As you very well know He's taught me a few big words BTW, We have been booked to play up at your neck of the woods next month. Feel free to nip in for a scoop. I'm sure Pisolivadi will sort you out with a freebie in the "Green" room Douglas